Shock Boots, yay or nay ?

[thestunts]

The Doetsch shocks I purchased didn't come with, and during the install, didn't think to put any on. Now I'm second guessing it.

Is it necessary ?
When does it become necessary ?

I did a goggle search and found most people said, not a big deal...

What are your thoughts ? experience ?

 

[weigellj]

I voted no, due to the fact I live in WI.

Road salt trapped in the boots and mud. Kills seals/shaft

 

[arndog123]

I run 'em on my mini trucks 'cept I don't slip the boot over the shock body. They tend to hold mud/water when slipped over the shock.

 

[kidglove13]

x2 I think that all kinds of stuff will get trapped up in there plus I like look without the boots.
The boots I think tend to look more like a dirt queen/ mall cruiser.
Wait mine is a mall cruiser

 

[joseywales]

If they are mounted with the piston up, and body of shock down, I say don't sweat it. If they are inverted, my only concern would be gravel putting dings in the piston shaft which would bugger up the seals. As you lvue in Cali, road salt and corrosion is a non-issue.

 

[byoungquist]

Boots look good; but some claim they can trap dirt and moisture through the vent hole. I have the old Rancho RS9000s with 100,000+ miles without the boots and they still work well with the air pump adjustability.

Bob
San Diego

 

[93yotasr5]

yep. no boots. plus they look weak.if its a mall crawler, or road only rig by all means put the boots on.
the ranchos on my truck have been on for 20,000 and spent a week in pismo and they look great still

 

[Nay]

Nay

 

[prarietlc]

for me no boots.

 

[coax]

I vote yes :-D Around where I live, they use lots of gravel instead of salt on the roads. The hard chrome shaft of the shock is quite resistant to corrosion and such IF the chrome isn't damaged, ie by gravel, rocks, etc. Leaving the boots loose at the bottom would allow any excess water to drain out if it accumulated in there somehow.

 

[donutfj80]

Only if they are hot pink!

 

[nuclearlemon]

they keep the shaft clean, but also trap moisture...it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation

 

[brian]

nahahahaha

 

[mjcraft]

I agree with most everybody here. Don't use them. You'll be better off...

 

[thestunts]

Well thanks for the replies. I can rest easy now.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Some say it protects the shaft, but others say it causes gunk to build up underneath. Everyone has their own opinion. I kept mine on because I like the way it looks and I think it improves performance.


Wait... we' re discussing the question of circumcision, right?!

 

[C6H12O6]

I just replaced all my OME shocks with the new OME Nitro Sport shocks with the plastic boot/covers. I was going to just leave them off, as they look pretty silly, but judging by how pitted up and beat to hell the old metal sleeves looked, I left them on. I drive on pavement most of the time, but the off-roading I do tends to be dirt and gravel roads at speed to get to a fishing spot. Lots of gravel and dirt hitting those rear shocks. At least the design is open at the bottom like the old metal sleeve shocks so they won't trap anything inside.

 

[skibob]

Make sure they color coordinate with your grandma's poodle if you put em on.

 

[thestunts]

I was thinking of doing the OME metal type sleeve but only half. Just for the front portion of the shock.

Would protect for crap flying at it, like some mentioning gravel roads & what not. But would also leave it open so crap doesn't build up or get trapped and could easily be cleaned if it's that serious or your so compelled to do so.

Any thoughts on that ?

 

[crikeymike]

All OE shocks have them, so there must be a good reason for them putting them on (manufacturers avoiding early shock warranties). They hard boots, like most OE's will protect the shaft and they have an open bottom side so things won't really stay up there for long.

Has anyone seen rubber bellow shock boots on a stock shock before?

The upper seal of the shock "wipes" away the crap on the shaft of the shock. If that shaft gets knicked/cut/bent/jacked up, then the seal goes, then your shock goes, and it's done.

I vote to protect the shock and prolong the life of it. Oh, and I can't stand those cheap rubber boots. Too many people run their shocks upside down, which defeats the purpose of those boots. I agree with the salties and their complaints about trapping moisture and stuff, happens a lot with those cheap boots. I'd like to see though if the shock shafts actually do get rusty, or if they stay clean because of their constant use.